WAIOTAHI EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2106, 4 October 1875, Page 2

WAIOTAHI EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

A meeting of this Committee was held on Saturday evening at Mr Skeen's office. Present—Messrs Kowe, (in the chair) Brsdie, O'Haire,.and Sims. The Secretary stated that he had a letter from Mr Moss in reference to the Punga Flat School, which is to be kept open until further instructions on the subject be given.: * v ? Mr Skeen stated that Mr Campbell, junior, consented to remain "in charge of the school for a short time pending the advice of the board.

There was but one applicant for the vacancy in the Thames School —Miss Clarke—who was appointed junior assistant in the usual way. The Secretary was instructed to write to theTararu Committee, under whom Miss Clarke is at present teaching, asking leave for her to commence her duties immediately at the Thames School.

The r <qnly other business of importance before the Committee was that having reference to a notice given by Mr O'Haire at the last meeting respecting a private letter written by Mr Jkowe to the Board, an account of which appeared in the news* papers. The origin of the subject is as follows:—At a meeting of the Committee held some time ago a letter was read from Mr Moore, head master Thames School, suggesting that the junior department, and that of sewing mistress, should be placed under the control of one instead of two persons, as they are at present; he, Mr Moore, had done this in order to

secure better regularity in the school; under the present arrangement the children sometjmes have to leave their lessons and g5: to Hhe. sewing department, and if his suggestions-Would be carried out that would be. avoided. 'the Committee Tfithout any comment fbrwardedUtie letterto the Board.'•

\RIr Kowe Stated itf explanation that he wrote to the Boafd;i;o prevent the alteration Nsuigge>;jtod,;ias he considered had such a, change been made it would be doing wrong to the present sewiDg mistress.

Mr- O'Haire stated that Mr. Eowe had taken a wrong view of the matter; that othT. members of the committee were as far from doing a wrong turn to any person as Mr. Eowe assumed to be; and that in having the letter forwarded to the Board his only desire was to assist the Head Master in any changes he desired, so as to make the school as efficient as possible. Besides, he considered that Mr. Eowe had acted very impatiently as he, as chairman of the committee, could have called them together, and 'hen let a full meeting of members decide upon what course to follow in th** matter, and then represent the same to the Board. But if the Board would allow Mr Eowe's private letter to influence them so as to render useless any official action of the committee, he (Mr O'Haire) would resign his position as a member ol the committee immediately. Mr Eowe said that lie wouM pursue the same course again, and that his letter had caused the Board not to make the alteration suggested. Mr Sims said it was not a fact that according to the report in the papers the Board had approved of alterations pointed out by the head master, before Mr Howe's letter was received by them. Mr Brodie said there was no communication to that effect received from the Board. : *. . :

Mr Sims asVed the* secretary if he had received any such correspondence as that referred to ?

The secretary replied that he had not, except merely acknowledging the receipt of the letter forwarded by him to the Board.—Communicated.